I did not know that story about Ellen Burstyn. As I remember, she was one of the stars of Spitfire Grill, a movie (14-15-years ago) about a young woman (not Burstyn), ex convict, who works for Burstyn after she suffers an accident.
The young ex-prisoner is haunted about an abortion that was forced on her; and she, in turn, murdered the man who forced her to undergo the abortion. It’s a charming movie until the end when the young woman (who has done much good in this little town) commits suicide and all this back story tumbles out. The ending is a surprise and a shock and is abrupt.
I wonder if Burstyn read the whole script before she took the role and how she felt about making that movie. I wonder if it colored her thinking on life issues.
IIRC, she didn't commit suicide, her death was accidental, and it was tied up with the story of the brother of character Ellen Burstyn played. It was an outstanding movie!